Edward Orville Swanson, age 89, known to family and friends as Orville, passed into the arms of his Savior in Christ on Monday, June 17, 2024, at his home.
He was born on November 21, 1934, to Cora Lulu (Seffrood) and Orlo Edwin Swanson on the home farm near South Wayne, Wisconsin and was a member of the West Wiota Lutheran Church. He was a 1952 graduate of South Wayne High School, then worked in the local area. On September 8, 1954, Orville married Dorothy Kay Collins at the Wiota Parsonage near Woodford, Wisconsin. They started their farming career on the E.A. Chapman Farm by South Wayne on February 16, 1955, and later moved to the Sunnyslope Home Farm where they raised their son, Edward, Jr., born October of 1955 and daughter Julie, born in May of 1959.
In July of 1973, Orville and family relocated to Wickenburg, Arizona where he was employed by the city. Later, in Flagstaff, he and his wife were managers of the Colony Estates, a large mobile home park. Extremes in weather encouraged them to settle in Kentucky where Orville worked in Pipeline Construction awhile and later as a bulldozer operator and manager of the Mercer County Landfill and Transfer Station in Harrodsburg for several years, He retired from there to Murray, Kentucky in late 2002.
Orville enjoyed old-time music and was an excellent dancer and had danced with two different square-dance clubs. He also drummed in several bands over the years and especially enjoyed “The Country Drifters” country music and the great friends he made there. He enjoyed woodworking in his shop and donated to several dog houses. He also had an elaborate set-up of “O” Steamers and Electric Trains with endless creations to make it more fun. Orv liked playing Euchre. His many varied experiences was fuel for his favorite story telling among family and friends.
Surviving are his wife of 69 years, Dorothy; his son, Edward Jr. of Murray, Kentucky; daughter, Julie (J.Panke) Swanson of Flagstaff, Arizona; grandsons,, Adrian Rea and Ethan (Casie) Rea both of Arizona; great-grandchildren, Rowen, Evie, and Kinsey Rea all of Arizona. Also surviving Orville are many nephews and nieces and their families.
Orville was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Lyle and Robert Swanson; sisters, Marie Krebs-Jorgenson and Dorothy Montgomery; sisters-in-law, Lilly and Tillie Swanson; brothers-in-law, Robert Krebs, Art Jorgenson, and Jr. Montgomery; as well as his infant great granddaughter, Harper Rea.
Orville had attended Martin’s Chapel Methodist Church until he was home-bound with Alzheimer’s. Graveside services were held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, June 21, 2024, in Martin’s Chapel Cemetery with Rev. Kerry Lambert officiating.
Expressions of sympathy can be made to the Humane Society of Calloway County, 607 Poplar Street # A, Murray, Kentucky 42071 or to the Martin’s Chapel Cemetery Fund, 1619 Martin Chapel Road, Murray, Kentucky 42071.
Online condolences can be made at, www.jhchurchill.com
